"Please Establish a System to Protect On-Site Police Officers"
There is growing criticism of the police leadership's responsibility following an incident where ardent supporters of President Yoon Suk-yeol stormed the Seoul Western District Court and assaulted multiple police officers. The criticism stems from the leadership's negligent preparation, which reportedly increased the harm suffered by officers on the scene.
According to Yonhap News on the 20th, numerous posts describing the situation at the Western District Court in the early hours of the 19th were uploaded on the 'Police Love' current officers' bulletin board on Daum Cafe. This board requires verification of active police status to post.
According to the report, Mr. A, who identified himself as a riot police officer at the scene, wrote, "In my police career, I have never witnessed such a devastating scene," adding, "Even lying down, tears come to my eyes, and I cannot sleep." He continued, "Why does the leadership only see the staff as 'human shields'?" and criticized, "A colleague was assaulted as if being mocked. The on-site leadership that stood by must definitely be held accountable."
Mr. A stated, "Watching my colleague being beaten, I could only repeat 'Please stop.' I feel ashamed and tearful," and urged, "Please establish a system to protect officers on the scene. The leadership should not just pass by, even if it means delaying personnel matters or promotion exams."
On the 19th, supporters of President Yoon, who were protesting near the Western District Court, stormed the court around 3 a.m. upon hearing news of an arrest warrant issued against the president. They broke windows and damaged furniture and facilities. The protesters also damaged vehicles, including deflating tires of the Corruption Investigation Office's official vehicles.
Officer B, who was present at the scene, wrote, "From the night of the 18th, when protesters blocked the Corruption Investigation Office vehicles and occupied the road, I thought today's duty would not end easily." Officer B added, "From evening until dawn, they roamed near the back gate of the court with metal pipes and sticks, continuously threatening by hitting fences. Everyone was already on edge," and said, "It wasn't just me; other officers also had a premonition that something was going to happen."
On the 19th, after President Yoon Seok-yeol was arrested on charges of being the leader of a rebellion, some of his supporters broke into the Seoul Western District Court and caused an illegal violent incident. The signboard of the Western District Court was damaged that afternoon. Photo by Yonhap News
He further pointed out, "Anyone could see the back gate was too vulnerable, but preparations were almost nonexistent." He also mentioned that officers, including those on day shifts, were mobilized for overnight duty without rest, leading to accumulated fatigue, and said, "Because of this, we could not respond swiftly to the assault, resulting in greater damage."
As the supporters' resistance intensified, the police belatedly deployed riot police equipped with body armor and batons, mobilizing about 1,400 personnel. By around 6 a.m., most protesters inside and outside the court were subdued, but over the two days, a total of 42 police officers were injured, including seven seriously wounded.
Mr. A lamented, "Although dawn broke and distancing measures were completed, the officers' bodies and minds were already battered." He expressed anger upon seeing a riot police sergeant, who appeared to be about the age of his father, with his uniform and epaulets torn off, covered in powder, and coughing. He emphasized the need for a strong response, saying, "The Seoul Detention Center and the Constitutional Court will be the next targets. We must prepare in advance to prevent injuries to staff, equipping ourselves with batons and capsaisin spray to suppress riots preemptively. Even yesterday, when a few were dragged away, they immediately backed down."
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